Typographical casting machine



Dec. 1'6, 1941. J. c. PLAsTARAs l TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE 8-Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 25, 1939 vBY W, 7M "W A TTORNE Ys.

Dec. 16, 1941. J. c. PLAs'rARAs 2,266,072

TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25. 1939 8 sheets-Sheet 2 has*31H5 /N VENTO/e fzz BY gwg WAM.

Dec. 16, 1941. J. c. PLAsrARAs 2,266,072

TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 3/NVENTOR lll" M 4 .0

mM-gun A TTORNE V5,

De- 16, 1941. u. c. PLAs'rARAs TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April25, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 1N VENTO/e A T ORNE Ys,

Dec 15, 1941. J. c. PLASTARAs TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE ssheets-sheet s Filed April 25, 1939 AT O' NEYS.

/N VEN TOR l. @4MM Dec.- 16, 1941. J. c. PLAsT'ARAs TYPOGRAPHICALCASTING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1939 8 SheetS-Sheet 6 [NVENTOR wmdm BYATTO NEYS` Dec. 16, 1941. J, c, PLASTARAS 2,266,072

TYPOGRAPHIGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Dec.16, 1941. J. c, PLAs'rARAs TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25,1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Q[NVM/fol? 1( ATTO/e En' Patented Dec; 16, 194iTYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE James C. Plastaras, Laurelton, N. Y.,assignor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation loi' New YorkApplication April 25, 1939, Serial No. 269,833

2l Claims.

This invention relates to typographical casting machines, such asLinotype machines of the general organization represented in U. S.Letters Patent to O. Mergenthaler, No. 436,532, wherein a melting pot orso-called metal pot is arranged to deliver molten metal into a slottedmold and up against a composed line of matrices to produce a type bar orslug bearing on its edge type characters corresponding to the intagliocharacters of the matrices.

Inthese machines, the molten metal is introduced into the mold by meansof a spring-actuated pump piston or plunger arranged within the pot andcontrolled in its action by a rotary cam which, as well known, makes onecomplete rotation for each cycle of operation of the machine. The cam isso shaped as normally to maintain the pump plunger in a raised positionout of action, and at one point in its circumference is formed with adepression which, at the proper time, permits the plunger to descendmore or less gradually and uniformly under the influence of itsactuating spring to iill the moldl with molten metal for the castingoperation. The metal pot is formed with a throat having a passageleading upwardly from a well at the bottom of the pot to a mold engagingmouthpiece standing at a height above the level of metal in the pot and,hence. above the level of the metalin the throat prior to casting.

With this arrangement, upon the descent of the plunger to force metalfrom the pot into the mold, a large volume of metal has to be displacedto iill the throat before the actual introduction of the metal into themold; and a corresponding volume of air is displaced and forced into themold from the throat and exhausted from the mold as the latter fillswith metal. The exhaust of air from the mold has always been troublesomebecause of the fact that the mold is artificially cooled and some of theair may become trapped by the formation of a iilm of solidified metalagainst the walls of the mold before the mold is completely iilled. Theair which is trapped in the mold results in the production of a. slughaving a porous or sporigy texture, rendering it unfit for use becauseof the likelihood of its breaking down or because of its having a de..fective castingface in the event that air has become trapped in theregions of the intaglio characters punched in the matrices. Moreover,the pressure exerted on the metal by the plunger is not uniformthroughout the metal injecting stroke of the plunger, due to therelaxation of the plunger-actuating spring, so that the metal enters themold under a gradually diminishing pressure, and hence, at a graduallydiminishing velocity.

Furthermore, these machines are equipped with molds of different sizesadapted to be selectively brought into use, and the same spring-actuatedplunger is relied upon to inject the metal into the mold regardless ofits size. Thus, the texture or density of slugs of different sizes isnecessarily not uniform; and this condition is further aggravated byreason of the accumulation of metal oxide on the walls of the upperportion of the throat, the oxide deposit choking the throat passage anddecreasing the volume and speed of the metal which can be forcedtherethrough under the pressure of a. spring of given tension. These andmany other difculties are well known to the art, and it would serve nouseful purpose to discuss the matterfurther.

The primary object of the present invention is to obviate the foregoingdifliculties and, to this end, the invention provides an improved formof metal pot and metal injecting mechanism, as well as an improved formof pot mouthpiece wiper. In its broader aspects, the invention providesa metal pot and metal injecting mechanism adapted to subject metal inthe pot to pressure and then suddenly release the metal for introductioninto the mold while exerting a substantially uniform pressure thereon.More speclically, the

metal pot is mounted to move horizontally into and out of castingrelation to the mold and is formed with a well located below the mainbody of metal therein. A short, nearly horizontal throat is provided,which communicates with the well through a relatively small circularport and flares laterally therefrom to the pot mouthpiecau. beingdivided by vertical partitions into a plu'- rality of separate passagesof substantially uni-1 form cross-sectional area throughout theirlengths. The port between the well and the throat is normally closed bya positively operated ball valve, which is opened and closed in timedrelation to the operation of the plunger. The

ton, the initial movement of the plunger closes the metal inlet to thewell and subjects the metal confined in the well to pressure.-Thereafter, the valve is suddenly opened and the plunger completes itsstroke to inject the metal into the mold under uniform pressure and at ahigh velocity, forming a dense slug body having a casting face ofcomplete, sharply defined characters by filling the mold and theintaglio characters in the matrices completely before the metal has anopportunity to chill and solidify.

The pot mouthpiece wiper is adapted to clean the mold engaging surfaceof the mouthpiece just before the latter engages the mold for thecasting operation, and comprises a wiping element which is mounted toyield relatively to its support to avoid interference with the moldcarrier when in casting position.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely by wayof example and in preferred form, but obviously many variations andmodifications may be made therein which will still be comprised withinits spirit. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is notlimited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar assuchlimitations are specified in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the casting mechanism of the machine,partly in section and partly broken away to show the interiorconstruction, the parts being shown in the position they occupy when outof casting relation;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the parts in castingrelation;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken through the melting pot andassociated mechanism, some of the parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the plunger lever attaching block;

Fig. 5 is a front sectional elevation, .partly broken away, of theplunger releasing mechanism; A

Fig. 6 is a front elevation, partly in section and partly broken away,of the metal pot and associated parts:

Fig. '7 is a transverse section taken on the line 'l-'I of Fig. 3,looking in the direction of the arrows, some of the parts being brokenaway;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5, lookingin the direction of the arrows:

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 3, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken on the line iii-i of Fig. 3, lookingin the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on the line iI--II of Fig. 7,looking in the direction of the' arrows;

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the main cam shaft, some of the partsbeing broken away;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the yokes actuated by cams on the main camshaft; and

Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken through the air control valve boxfor the plunger operating piston.

Figs. 1 and 2 are contrasting views of the improved casting mechanism,showing the relationship of the parts when out of and in castingposition, respectively. The line of matrices M is presented to the faceof the slotted mold`A by the first elevator B, which is located incasting position by the banking of the adjusting screw b in the elevatorhead B1 against the top surface c of the vise frame C. The mold A issupported in a carrier A1 and, as usual, comprises a lowerbody portion aand an upper cap portion a1 spaced from the body by end liners (notshown) to form the mold cavity a.

In the present instance, the metal pot D is mounted on a carriage Esupported in the machine frame F and adapted for horizontal fore and aftmovement into and out of castingrelation to the mold A. At its fourcorners, the carl riage E is equipped with rollers e which ride intrackways f formed by channel members F1 of the framelF (see Fig. 6).The pump actuating mechanism G is supported above the metal pot D infixed relation thereto by posts E1 rising from the\carriage E to whichthey are rigidly secured. Thel movement of the pot D and the control ofthe pump mechanism G is effected by a series of cams on a rotatable carnshaft H arranged at the side of the pot D and operating through iiexibleconnections which permit the movement of the pot D and pump mechanism Gas a unit relatively to the cam shaft H. The cam shaft H is rotated froma suitable source of power through a gear H1 fixed thereto, making onecomplete rotation during each cycle of operation.

The metal pot D (Figs.3, 6 and 7) comprises an outer Jacket d whichsurrounds and is insulated by suitable material d1 from the crucible D1,containing the body of molten metal d. The bottom ofthe crucible D1 isformed to prorde a well D2 located below the body of metal d! andseparated therefrom by a wall d. A metal delivery throat D3 is arrangedin the front end of the well Dn and is secured therein by screws d*which clamp its flangedfront end d' to the flanged face d0 of the well,the throat D being spaced from the walls of the well D2 so as to besurrounded at all times by the molten metal in the well. A passage d"leads through the throat D3 from the well DI to a mouthpiece D* securedto the front face of the throat, the passage d" being relatively shortand but slightly inclined upwardly toward lthe front where itcommunicates with a series of openings da formed in the mouthpiece D4.As seen in Flg.'1, the rear end of the throatDi is formed with acircular port d from which the passage d' flares laterally toward thefront of the throat, the passage d'1 being divided by a series ofvertical partitions d10 which are wedgelike in cross-section and definea plurality of channels d11 of substantially uniform cross-sectionalarea throughout their lengths leading to the mouthpiece D.

A cylinder D1i rises from the wall d3 which forms the bottom wall of thecrucible D1 and the top wall of the well D1, and at a predeterminedlevel said cylinder is formed with a pair of diametrically oppositeports d12 provided for the intake of metal d2 from the crucible into thewell. A plunger D6 is arranged for reciprocation in the cylinder D5, andit is connected by a rod d to the plunger actuating mechanism G. the rodbeing pivotally connected at one end to the plunger D0 by a wrist pind14 and the opposite end being formed with a slot d by which the rod isdetachably connected to the plunger actuating mechanism. i

As seen in Figs. 7 and 11, a needle-valve D is screw threaded into twobrackets d1 and d", formed on the inner wall of the crucible D1 andlocated one above the other, for adjustment vertically to locate itstapered end d1' relatively to an opening d1 in the wall d3. The valve Dis locked in its set position by the tightening of a screw D9 whichbends the ends of the brackets 1116 and d1I toward each other, the screwD being formed with a head d20 which engages the top surface of` thebracket d16 and a shank d21 extending through an opening in the bracket111 and being screw threaded into an opening in the bracket d1". 'I'heopening d111 constitutes a bipass for the escape, o! metal from the wellD2 to the crucible D1 to allow the plunger Ds to partake of a fullstroke during each casting operation, regardless of the volume of metalinjected into the mold.

A burner D" for heating the metal is arranged beneath the crucible D1 ata level below the bottom of the well D2, in order to heat not only themain body of metal d2 but also to keep the metal in a heated conditionafter it enters the well.

The reciprocation oi' the metal pot D is effected by a cam H2 fixed tothe shaft H and formed in its peripheral surface with a trackway h1(Fig. 1) adapted to receive a roller 11 journalled in the end of a shortarm 11.1 of a bell-crank lever N pivoted to the machine frame F on ashaft 112 (Fig. 6). A long arm 112 of the lever N is connected to a rod114 pivoted to one arm 115 of a bell-crank lever N1, the other arm 112of which is connected to one end of a toggle link 111 having itsopposite end connected to a lug e1 at the rear of the carriage E. Thelever N1 is pivoted as at nel to the bifurcated head 11.'l of a bolt11.8 extending through an opening in a xed block 11.9 and being held bya nut 11.12 threaded on the end of the bolt 118. The arm 113 of thebell-crank lever N is fastened to the rod 114 to slide relativelythereto and operate through a relief spring 1113, the end of the arm n2and the spring 1112 being held between adjusting and locknuts 11.14threaded on the rod n4. An adjusting yoke 11.15 is interposed betweenthe head 11.7 of the bolt 1113 and the front face 1116 of the block 119,being formed with arms 11.1" adapted to straddle the block 11.9vertically and carrying adjusting screws 11.11 which bear againstparallel inclined surfaces 1119 on the block 11.9. The yoke 1115 isformed with a slot (not shown) which permits it to move verticallyrelatively to the bolt 112 when the nut 1112 is loosened. When theadjusting screws 1118 are vturned in one direction or the other, theyoke 1115 moves up or down as the case may be, and since the face 11.16of the block 119 and the surface of the yoke 1115 engaging therewith arecorrespondingly inclined as shown, the resulting wedging action eithermoves the bolt 11.2 to the right or left, thus changing the location ofthe pivot 116 to adjust the pot D for a proper lock-up with the mold Ain casting relation thereto.

As already stated, the pump plunger D6 is adapted to be reciprocated bypneumatically operated means, and for this purpose the pump actuatingmechanism G comprises an air cylinder G1 supported above the pot D on across-head E2 (Figs. and 9) connected to the upper ends of the posts E1rising from opposite sides of the pot carriage E. A double acting pistonG2 (Fig. 1) is arranged within the air cylinder G1 and is adapted to becontrolled by a valve V which admits air into the bottom or top of thecylinder G1 to move the piston G2 up or down. The opposite ends of thecylinder G1 are closed by removable caps y1 and g2 which are clamped inplace against the ends of the cylinder G1 by bolts g2 passing throughopenings in bosses g4 formed on the upper cap g1 and extendingdownwardly exteriorly of the cylinder G1 with their ends threaded intoopenings formed in bosses a5 on the lower cap g2.

Theupper cap g1 is formed on its inner surface with a recess 17s intowhich a Asleeve g" is fitted and which sleeve receives the upper portiona of the piston G2. A compression spring g1 is arranged to surround thesleeve g" `and bears against a shoulder g1 formed on the piston G2.Below the shoulder g1, the piston (321s enlarged to provide a lowerportion 911 in sliding engagement with the inner surface 912 of thecylinder wall. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 5, an air pipe 11 leads fromthe valve V to the upper cap g1, opening into the cylinder G1 within thesleeve g" and above the end of the upper portion g11 of the piston G2;and an air pipe 111 leads from the valve V to a port 012 formed in theside of the cylinder G1 and which leads into the interior thereof belowthe lower end of the piston G2.

The valve V (Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 14) is secured by a bracket e5 to thecross-head E2 and comprises two sections 112 and 113 secured together byscrews 114. The section 112 is formed with a recess 115 in its innerface to accommodate a slide 116 pressed against the inner face of thesection 112 by a leaf spring 11I secured by a screw 11a to the wall ofthe section 112. Near its lower end, the,slide 11*s is formed with adrill hole 11s to accommodate a pin 111 formed on a plunger 1111arranged to reciprocate in an opening 1112 at the bottom o f the section113 to raise and lower the slide 11, the plunger 1111 normally beingheld in the lower position shown in Fig. 14 by a compression spring1112. A removable cover plate 1114 secured to the outer face of thesection 113 permits access to a compartment 1115 in which the plunger1111 and spring 11111 are arranged, the arrangement simplifyingmanufacture and the assembling of the parts.

As shown in Fig. 1, an air intake pipe J and an air exhaust pipe K areconnected to the section 112 of the valve V and communicate respectively(Fig. 14) with ports 1116 and 111", the former opening into the recess115 of the section 112 and the latter opening into a recess 11111 in theAslide 112. The pipes 11 and 111 leading from the valve to the top andbottom, respectively, of the cylinder G1 communicate with ports 1112 and112 in the section 113 of the valve. 1n the position of the parts of thevalve as shown in Fig. 14, communication is established between theintake port 111*1 and the port 1112 as indicated by the arrow, to supplyair to the top of the cylinder G1, communication being established atthe same time between the port 112 and the exhaust port 111" through therecess 1112 in the slide 11*1 to exhaust air from the bottom of thecylinder G1. When the plunger 1111 is raised, moving the slide 113 withit, communication is established through the recess 1118 between theexhaust port 111" and the port 1119 for the exhaust of air from the topof the cylinder G1. At the same time, communication is cut off betweenthe exhaust port 1117 and the port 1122 through an opening 1121 formedin the slide 116 for the admission of air to the bottom ofthe cylinderG1. It may be well to state at this time that normally the valve partsoccupy the position shown in Fig. 14 with a full head of air pressuremaintained above thev piston G2, the slide 1111 being moved up` wardlybut momentarily for the raising of the piston G2 to retract the pumpplunger D6 afterl casting.

The piston G2 is held in its upper position against the head of airpressure and the tension of the spring g9 by -a .dog O (Fig. 5), whichengages beneath a block P secured by a screw pin p to the lower end of apiston rod g depending from the piston G2 within the cylinder G1. Thelower end of the block P is formed with an opening p1 (see also Fig. 4)to receive a flat headed pin p1 to which the upper end of theplunger rodi113 is adapted to be securedl upper end of the rod d1 fitting over thepin p1 and being held thereon by a pawl p3 pivoted to the block P on apin `p4 and pressed against the top edge of the plunger rod-d1a by acompression spring p5. The dog O is supported on a roller O1 and carriesa roller o which engages the bottom edge of the-head of the pin p1 inthe block P. The opposite end of the dog O is pivoted at o1 to the endof one arm o2 of a bell-crank lever O1 pivoted at oa to the cross-headE1 and normally held in the full line position shown inFig. 5 by aspring o4 arranged between the cross-head l?.z and an upstanding lug o5on the lever O1. The. other arm o6 of the lever O2 extends toward theside of (Fig. 3), the slot d15 in theposite side of the pin' a: and isactuatie to rock the lever X1 to close the valve X. With the relativemovement permitted by having the hammer T1, it moves relatively to thelever '1a and com- Tfixed to the shaft tB and the bell-crank lever T2free to pivot thereon, when the hammer is released by the trigger T1,the spring t1' exercises itself to swing the hammer relatively to thelever presses the spring t1. However, the spring t1' is so strong that.the initial movement of the hammer T acts through the spring t1 to rockthe lever 'I2 until the arm t thereof engages `ethe pin :c and swingsthe lever X1 back to its the machine in position to be engaged byactuating means for rocking the lever O2 against the pressure of thespring o4 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5 to retract the dog0 and remove the roller o to its dotted line position clear of the blockP and permit the descent of the plunger D6 for the casting operation.The active position of the dog O, that is, the extent to which itprojects beneath the block P, is determined by an adjusting screw o"abutting against the cross head E2, the screw o? being threaded throughan opening in the arm o11 of the lever O2 and locked f in set positionby a nut o1.

The descent of the plunger D5 is adapted to control the opening of aball valve X (Fig. 3) which closes the inner end of the throat passaged'1 in the well D2 of the metal pot D, and to this end a valve-openinghammer T is arranged to be released by a trigger T1 rockably mounted asat t with one arm t1 in the path of an inclined surface p on the blockP, which surface p6 engages the trigger arm during the descent of theblock and rocks the trigger T1 counterclockwise from its full lineposition, as determined by an adjusting screw t2 held by a locknut t3,to the dotted line position, moving the other arm t4 of the trigger T1out of engagement with the hammer T and releasing the latter to open thevalve X. The trigger arm t4 is relatively thick, being formed with anoffset portion t26 (Fig. 8) with whichthe hammer arm t12 engages, sothat when the hammer is released the arm t12 swings clear of the triggerarm t1 at one side thereof.

TheI hammer T (Figs. 3 and 9) is forked to provide arms t5 `and t6 andis fixed by a pin t7 to a rock shaft t8 passing through apertures in thearms tl5 and ts and journalled in bearings e1, e2 and e3 formed on thecross-head E1. Beyond the `iuncture of the arms t5 and t5 above theshaft t8, the hammer is formed with one arm t12 adapted for engagementwith the trigger T1 and another arm t13 formed with an open-ended sockett14. A bell-crank lever T2 is pivotally mounted on the shaft tabetweenthe arms t5 and t6 of the hammer T, and its short arm t15 isformed with an open-ended socket t1, The open ends t1? and t1' of thesockets tl and t1, respectively, face one another, andthe sockets areadapted to accommodate a compressionfull line position and closes thevalve X.

The lever X1 is vertically jdisposed and held against sidewise movementby the arm tu of the lever T1, the end t24 of which is bifurcated toreceive the bent upper end :c1 of the lever X1. The lower end of thelever X1 is connected'to the valve X which is located in the well D, thelever extending through the body of metal d2 in the metal pot D and anopening d22 formed in a boss i123 rising from the wall d3 and beingsupported by a yoke :z:z passing through a slot :r3 in the lever andsecured therein by a pin x4, the ends z5 (Fig. 10) of the yoke arms xengaging in a groove d:m formed in the outer surface of the boss d. Theopening d'n is cylindrical, and near its lower end the lever is formedwith a rounded portion .1:8 which, by its engagement with the Walls ofthe opening d1, permits the lever X1 to partake of a rocking movement. Afinger extension as beyond the spherical portion x8 of the lever X1projects into an opening x10 formed in the valve X and provides theconnection between the valve and lever. The tendency of the valve X tofloat in the metal in the welly D2 maintains it well up on the end x3 ofthe lever X1, as shown in Fig. 3, and it is guided to a proper seatin'gas it is closed by four projections 124 formed on the inner end of thethroat DJ around the port d. It is pointed out that even if the valve Xdid not float, there is not sufficient space between the valve and thebottom of the well to permit it to drop and thus become disconnectedfrom the lever X1. In the assembly of the parts, the valve X is locatedin the well D2 before the throat D3 is in place, and the lever X1 thenlowered through the opening i122 in the boss (123 to engage the end :r9in the opening :1:10 in the valve. This is accomplished by turning thelever X1 so that the ends m5 of the yoke arms :c6 pass throughdiametrically opposite slots d31 leading to th'e groove d3 in the upperend of the boss d23 and then turning the lever X1 to the position shownin Fig. l0.

The operation of the pump actuating mechanism G is controlled by threecams H3, H4 and H5 (Figs. l, 2, 6, 12 and 13) fixed to the cam shaft Hand operating through yokes h1, ha and be engaged by the operating camsH3, Hand I H5, respectively. 1 The outer ends of the yokes are connectedto the lower ends of the rods h', h!I and h1, each of which is formedwith a neck portion 1212 and a ball 11.13 and detachably connected toits respective yoke by tting the ball h13 into a recess 11.14 in the endof the yoke with the neck portion 11.12 arranged in an open-ended sloth, the recess and the end of the slot being closed by a movable coverplate 11.1 (Fig. 13).

The upper end of the rod h. is fitted with an adjustable end portionh1'1 having a ball connection with the valve actuating plunger o (Fig.14) which moves the slide v The rod 1l.'l has a similar adjustable end nconnected to a rock arm h1 (Fig. 5) pivoted to the frame as at h2, whicharm operates through an interponent h21 to actuate the bell-crank lever02 and retract the dog O to effect the release of the pump plunger D.The rod h11 is also provided with an adjustable upper end piece 11.22which is slidably supported in an aperture formed in a bracket e4 (Fig.8) beneath a crank arm t211 xed to one end of the rock shaft ti.v

The interponent h21 is carried at the upper end of a shaft 11.14rotatably supported in brackets 11.25 and 11.2 and by the rocking of theshaft v11.24 the interponent is adapted to be moved into and out ofoperative yposition between the rocker arm 11.12 and the arm of thebell-crank O2, whereby it acts as a safety device to prevent theoperation of the pump plunger. The rocking of the shaft h24 iscontrolled by the movement of the metal pot D 'into and out of castingrelation to the mold A, being effected by two bumpers S.

and S1 xed in the frame F to engage an arm h2" on the shaft 11.24. Whenthe metal pot D moves forwardly, it carries with it the shaft 11.24,

and as it moves into casting relation to the mold, the arm h21 strikesan adiusting screw s1 in the bumpers S1 and rocks the shaft h24 tolocate the interponent 1121 in active position between the rocker arm11.1 and the arm 0 of the bell-crank lever O2. In the event that, forany reason, the metal pot D does not move the full distance to lock themouthpiece D4 up tightly against the mold A, the interponent 11.21 willremain in its inactive position and, even though the cam H5 actuates theyoke h2, shaft h1 and rocker arm 1119, the bell-crank lever O2 will notbe actuated to retract the dog O and release the pump operatingmechanism. When the pot D returns to its original position after thecasting operation, the arm 11.21 strikes the end of an adjusting screw sin the bumper S1 and rocks the shaft 11.24 to movethe interponent 11.21to its inactive position clear of the rocker arm 11.1 and lever arm os.The bumper S1 mounted so that it can be swung out of the path of the armh2" when desired, in which event the interponent 11.21 will remain inits inactive position and the machine can be operated without casting.

The improved mouthpiece wiping mechanism W comprises a wiping element W1mounted at the is pivotally v (Figs. 2 and 12). The leadingend of therecess 11.2a falls away sharply as at 11.2 to allow the roller w11 todrop abruptly therein, and the following end of the recess is formed toprovide a surface 112 which gradually runs into the periphery of the camH2 and on which the roller w'B rides to raise the yoke w" back to itsoriginal position. The roller w11 bears on the periphery of the cam H2under the tension of a torsion spring w1 surrounding the shaft w3 andhaving one end'xed,

in the frame as at w11 and the other end fixed in a collar w12 fastenedto the shaft w1 as by a set forward ends of a pair of arms w1 and to2arto track on the periphery of the cam H2 fixed to the main cam shaft H.At a predetermined point in its periphery in the line of -travel of the-roller wa secured thereto by a bolt 109 and adapted The wiping elementW1 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6) is journalled at its opposite ends in platesw14 pivoted on a shaft w15 extending between and fixed to the forwardends of the arms w1 and w2. Each plate w is formed with a slot tp inwhich a pin w1'1 formed on the respective arm w1 or w2 is adapted toride, the ends of the slot limiting the movement of the plates w14.normally held forward in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 b y torsionsprings w11 associated with each plate and arranged on the rod w12 withone end anchored as at w12 in each plate and the other end anchored in aycollar 102 fixed to the rod w11. The wiping element W1 is normally heldagainst a pin w21 on each of the plates w14 by a tension spring w22,anchored at one end to the wiping element W1 and at the opposite .end toa pin w23 on its respective plate w14, being free to move forwardly,however, against the pull of the springs w22. The reason for the movablemount-4 ing of the wiping element W1 is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. InFig. 1, the wiping element W1 is in a position forthe wiping operation,which takes place just prior to casting. When the roller w drops intothe recess h211 in the cam H2, allowing the yoke w? to drop, the springw1 moves the arms w1 and w2 downwardly and the wiping -element W1 passesover in front face of the mouthpiece D4, bearing against it under thepull of the tension springs w22. After the wiping operation, and as seenin Fig. 2, when the pot D moves into casting relation to the mold A, thewiping element W1 strikes the mold carrier A1 and, moving as a unit withthe plates w14, yields rearwardly against the tension of the springsw11. After the casting operation. when the metal pot D returns to itsrearward position, the springs w1a exercise themselves to return thewiping element W1 to the wiping position, which is determined by theengagement of the pins w17 with the ends of the slots w141 as shown inFig. 3.

In the operation of the machine, at the time lthe line of matrices M islocated in casting position, theparts occupy the position shown in Fig.1, with the line of matrices M, 'mold A and the pot mouthpiece D4 inhorizontally spaced relation. At the start of the cycle of operation,the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 12, and as the cam H2starts to rotatethe mouthpiece wiping operation is effected by theroller w11 dropping into the recess 12.2"3 in the cam H2 to allow thewiping element W1 to be moved down over the mold engaging face of themouthpiece D4. The roller wa then travels over the surface ha of therecess 11.28 and back onto the periphery of the cam H2 to return thewiper W to the position shown. Continued rotation of the cam shaft H inthe direction indicated by the arrow, causes shown in Fig. 2. This rocksthe lever Nlcounterroller w8, the cam H2 is formed with a recess h2s 75clockwise and, through the rod n4l lever N1 The plates w14 arestraightens out the toggle link n10 and moves the carriage E forwardly,the pot D and plunger actuating mechanism G moving as a unit with thecarriage E until the front face of the mouthpiece D4 is forced againstthe rear face of the mold A. As the carriage E completes its forwardmovement, the arm h" on the vertical shaft h1" strikes the screw s1 inthe bumper S1 and the shaft is rocked to swing the interponent 11.21 atthe upper end of the shaft into position between the rock arm 11.1 andthe arm o@ of the lever O2 and couple the plunger releasing trip dog Oto its actuating mechanism. In the meantime, the mold carrier A1 ismoved to bring the front face of the mold A into engagement with theline of matrices M (see Fig. 2). It will be noted that the forwardmovement of the carriage E brings the wiping element W1 into engagementwith the top rear edge of the mold carrier A1, but since the wipingelement W1 is free to swing within the limits of the slots w1, it ismerely rocked rearwardly out of its wiping position.

Continued rotation of the cam shaft H brings the low portion h3 (Fig. 6)of the cam Hls to the top, and the roller h1o carried by the yoke h4rides down the inclined surface h3", allowing the yoke h4 and rod h.s todrop and break the engagement with the upper end h12 of the rod and thecrank arm t25 fixed to the end of the shaft t. Just before the yoke h4drops to its lowermost position, the roller h1 of the yoke h3 rides upon the inclined surface h311 of the cam H4 which controls the operationof the plunger D. The lifting of the yoke h3, and with it the rod k7,rocks the arm h1 vupwardly and, through the interponent b21, rocks thebell-crank lever O1 to retract the dog O (Fig. 5). This allows thepiston G2 in the air cylinder G1 to descend under the influence of the Ispring g1 and the head of air pressure constantly maintained above thepiston G2. The initial downward movement of the piston G2 moves theplunger Do sufficiently to cover the ports d12 and shut oilcommunication between the body of metal d2 and the well D2, and also toexert pressure on the body of metal in the well D. However, just as thepressure on .the metal in the well D2 is built up, the cam surface p6 onthe block P fixed to the lower end of the piston rod G3 completes itscamming action on the arm t1 of the trigger T1 to rock the trigger armt4 out of engagement with the arm t12.of the hammer T. The compressionspring t19 then exercises itself to rock the hammer T counterclockwiseso thatthe heads t21 and t211 thereof strike the pin .'v in the lever X1a sharp blow to rock the lever X1 to its dotted line position andthereby open the valve X, the valve being held open by a compressionspring h acting on the arm t25. It may be noted here that the hammermeans of opening the valve X is employed both because of the pressureexerted on the metal in the well D2 and to open the valve X completelyas quickly as possible in order that the volume of metal displaced forcasting will be uniform throughout the stroke of the plunger D8.

The plunger D6 then continues its downward or metal injecting strokeunder substantially the same uniform head of pressure to displace themetal in the well D2 and force it through the port d1 and throat passaged" into the mold slot a2 to form the slug, the plunger partaking of afull stroke (under the same uniform head of pressure) regardless of thevolume of displaced metal used to fill the mold slot a2 by virtue of themetal bi-passing through the opening d19 (Fig. 75

raising the yoke h2 and the rod h6 fixed to the lower end of the plunger1111 in the valve V (Fig. 14). This moves the valve plunger 1:11 and theslide v upwardly to establish communication, through the passage 1121,between the intake port 121 and the port 112 to admit air from thesupply pipe J to the pipe v1 leading from the valve V to the bottom ofthe air cylinder G1 below the piston G2. At the same time, communicationis established by the recess v1 in the valve slide vc between the portv" and the port v19communicating with the exhaust pipe K. The airentering the bottom of the cylinder G1 forces the piston G2 upwardly toretract the plunger D, air being exhausted from lthe top of the cylinderthrough the pipe u, recess v1a in the slide 11 and the port v1communicating with the exhaust pipe K v When the plunger D6 iscompletely retracted, the dog O is returned to its operative positionbelow the block P to hold the piston G2 in its upper position, and theroller h1u in the yoke h,2 rides down an inclined surface h on the camH. allowing the yoke and rod h. to drop and return the slide v6 to theposition shown in Fig. 14, admitting air once again to the pipe vleading to the top of the cylinder G1. After the start of the returnstroke .of the plunger D, the roller h1 in the yoke h4 rides up aninclined surface h onto the periphery h43 of the cam H5, raising theyoke h* and rod ha and causing the upper end h22 of the rod hs to engagethe end of the crank arm t25 to rock the shaft ta clockwise and returnthe hammer T to its original position, the arm t1 of the trigger tdropping down to engage the hammer arm t12. During the initial rockingof the shaft ts, the spring t19 tends to compress. but it is strongenough so that it rocks the arm it13 of the lever T2 counterclockwiseagainst the crosspin a: to move the lever X1 and close the valve X, verylittle force being necessary for this purpose since the metal in thewell U is not under pressure, as was the case when the valve X wasopened. When the valve X is closed, the lever X1 then resists themovement of the lever T2, and continued rocking of the shaft tscompresses the spring t1 to place it under tension. It will be notedthat \the retraction of the plunger D6 is commenced shortly before thevalve X is closed, thus allowing `a back draft of the metal in thethroat passage d" sufficiently to avoid its leakage through themouthpiece openings dl when the pot D is moved out of casting relationto the mold.

The roller n on the bell-crank lever N rides on an inclined surface h(Figs. 1 and 2) of the cam H2 and is moved to the left to rock the leverN clockwise and return the pot carriage E to its original position shownin Fig. 1. As the metal pot D returns to its initial position, the armh" on the vertical shaft h.24 strikes the screw s in the bumper S androtates the shaft h24 to move the interponent h21 out from between therocker h1* and the arm 0 of the bell-crank lever O. thus uncoupling theplunger releasing mechanism to preventV the release of the plunger D.'Ihe cam shaft H then completes its rotation to end i the cycle ofoperation of the machine.

It will be seen now that the present invention affords an arrangementwherein the metal pot and plunger actuating mechanism, mounted on acommon carrier adapted for horizontal movement on rollers, are easilymoved as a unit into and out of casting position, the 'movement beingquick and smooth. The injection of metal into the mold by subjecting itto a head of pressure while in the pot and then suddenly opening thevalve to release it for introduction into the mold while maintainingsubstantially `the head of pressure built up before its release, fillsthe mold completely with metal flowing thereinto at a uniform highvelocity and under uniform pressure. After' the mold is filled, themetal therein is maintained under the same uniform pressure until theplunger completes its stroke, with the result that, the mold having beenfilled completely andrapidly, the dense body of metal in the mold isafforded an opportunity to chill and solidify for a long enough periodof time to prevent a back-draft of metal from the mold when the plungeris retracted. The pneumatic operation of the plunger, in addition to theimproved result in casting which it affords, adds to the smoothness ofoperation of the entire casting mechanism, the necessary relativemovements of the pot and plunger actuating mechanism found in the springactuated devices being obviated along with the stresses and strains andwear of the parts resulting from the tensioning of the heavy plungeractuating spring. In the present instance, the mechanism is compact'andthe partsA are, in the main, of light weight, since there is little orno heavy work to be done. Many other advantages will be manifest tothose skilled in the art without specific recitation herein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, andmechanism for injecting.

metal into the moldincluding a uid actuated plunger adapted to subjectthe metal to pressure and thereafter, when the maximum pressure has beenbuilt up suddenly effect the introduction of the metal into the moldunder substantially uniform pressure. l

2. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, andmechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a fluid actuatedplunger adapted to subject the metal to a head of vpressure andthereafter suddenly effect the introduction of the metal into the moldwhile maintaining itA under substantially said head of pressure.

3. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold,mechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a uid actuatedplunger adapted to subject the metal to pressure and acting to exertsubstantially uniform pressure on the metal during the injection thereofinto the mold, and means operable when the metal is subjected topressure for effecting its introduction into the mold.

4. In a typographical casting machine, the com bination of a mold,mechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a uid actuatedplunger adapted to subject the metal to substantially uniform pressureduring its metal injecting stroke, a valve adapted to be opened toeffect the introduction of the metal into the mold, and means operativeto open the valve when the metal is subjected to pressure by theplunger.

5. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold,mechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a uid actuatedplungver adapted to subject the metal to substanlaially uniform pressureduring its metal injecting stroke, a valve adapted to be opened toeffect the introduction of metal into the mold, and means operative toopen the valve after the plunger has commenced its metal injectingstroke and subjected the metal to pressure.

6. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold,mechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a uid actuatedplunger for displacing the metal to force it into the mold and adaptedto subject the metal to substantially uniform pressure during its metalinjecting stroke, a valve adapted to be opened to effect theintroduction of metal into the mold,

means operative to open the valve after the plunger has commenced itsmetal injecting stroke and subjected the metal to pressure, and means torender the plunger operative to partake of a full metal injecting strokeregardless of the volume of metal forced into the mold.

7. In a typographical casting machine, the

.combination of a mold, a metal pot having a metal confining chamberformed therein, -a metal injecting passage leading from the chamber, afluid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through saidpassage.' said plunger operating to subject the metal in the chamber tcsubstantially uniform pressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, avalve for closing said passage, vand means operative to open the valveby a sudden hammer-blow action thereon after the plunger has commencedits metal'injecting.

stroke and subjected the metal in the chamber to pressure.

8. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, ametal pot having a metal confining chamber formed therein, a metalinjecting passage leading from the chamber, a

fluid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through saidpassage. said plunger operating to s'ubject the metal in the chamber toa head of pressure and to maintain said head of pressure on the metalthroughout its metal injecting stroke, a valve for closing said passage,and means operative to open the valve by a. sudden hammer-blow actionthereon after the plunger has commenced its metal injecting stroke andsubjected the metal in the chamber to the full head'of pressure. i

9. In a typographical casting machine, the

combination of a mold, a metal pot having a metal confining chamberformed therein, a metal injecting passage leading from the chamber, afluid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through saidpassage, said plunger operating to subject the metal in the chamber tosubstantially uniform pressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, aball valve arranged to` close said metal injecting passage, a leverpivoted intermediate its ends and connected on one side of the pivot tothe valve, and means operative to strike the lever on the opposite sideof the n pivot a hammer-like blow to open the valve after the plungerhas commenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal in thechamber to pressure.

10. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, ametal pot having a metal confining chamber formed therein, a metalinjecting passage leading from the chamber, a fluid actuated plunger forinjecting metal into the mold through said passage, said plungeroperating to subject the metal in the chamber to substantially uniformpressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a ball valve arranged toclose said metal injecting passage, a lever pivoted intermediate itsends and connected on one side of the pivot to the valve, and springactuated means operative to strike the lever on the opposite side of thepivot a hammer-like blow to open the `valve after the plunger hascommenced its metal injecting strokev and subjected the metal in thechamber to pressure.

11. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, ametal pot having a metal confining chamber formed therein, a metalinjecting passage leading from the chamber. a iluid actuated plunger forinjecting metal into the mold through said passage, said plungeroperating to subject the metal in the chamber to substantially uniformpressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a ball valve arranged toclose said metal injecting passage, a lever pivoted intermediate itsends and connected on one side of the pivot'to the valve, and springactuated means operative to strike the lever on the opposite side of thepivot a hammer-like blow to open the valve after the plunger hascommenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal in thechamber to pressure, said valve opening means being controlled by atrigger arranged to be tripped by means operative in response to themovement of the plunger in its'metal injecting stroke.

12. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, ametal pot having a metal coniining chamber formed therein, a metalinjecting passageleading from the chamber, a fluid actuated plunger forinjecting metal into the mold through said passage, said plungeroperating to subject the metal in the chamber to substantially uniformpressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a ball valve arranged toclose said metal injecting passage, a lever pivoted intermediate itsends and connected on one side of the pivot to the valve, and springactuated means operative to strike the lever on the opposite side of thepivot a hammer-like blow to open the valve after the plunger hascommenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal in thechamber to pressure, said valve opening means being controlled by atrigger arranged to be tripped by means operative in response to themovement of the plunger in its metal injecting stroke, and means actingpositively to close the valve after the mold has been lled with metal.

13. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, ametal pot having a metal conilning chamber formed therein, a -metalinjecting passage leading from the chamber, a iiuid actuated plunger forinjecting metal into the mold through said passage, said plungeroperating to subject the metal in the chamber to substantially uniformpressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a ball valve arranged toclose said metal injecting passage, a lever pivoted intermediate itsends and connected on one side of the pivot to the valve, and springactuated means operative to strike the lever on the opposite side of thepivot a hammer-like blow to open the valve after the plunger hascommenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal in thechamber to pressure, said valve opening means being controlled by atrigger arranged to be tripped by means operative in response to themovement of the plunger in its metal injecting stroke, andmeans actingDQitlvely to close the valve and reset the valve opening means when theplunger is retracted after completing its metal injecting stroke.

14. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, ametal potl movable from inactive to active position to cooperate withthe mold for casting, a plunger in the metal pot for injecting metaltherefrom into the mold, means for holding the plunger againstoperation, means connected thereto for effecting the release of theplunger, and means actuable by the movement of the metal pot from oneposition to the other to couple and uncouple the plunger holding and re`leasing means.

15. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, ametal pot movable from inactive to active position to cooperate with themold for casting, a plunger in the metal pot for injecting metaltherefrom into the mold, means for holding the plunger againstoperation, means connected thereto for effecting the release of theplunger, and means for coupling and uncoupling the plunger holding andreleasing means, said means being uncoupled when the metal pot is ininactive position and being coupled thereto by the movement of the metalpot into active position.

16. In a tyDOgraphical casting machine, the combination of a mold, ametal pot movable into and out of casting position relatively tothemold, a plunger in the metal pot for injecting metal therefrom into themold, means for operating the plunger to inject metal into the mold,means to hold said operating means inactive, means .to

actuate said holding means to release the plunger operating means, andan interponent movable to andl from active position for coupling anduncoupling said actuating means and said holding means, said interponentoccupying its inactive positionwhen the metal pot is out of castingrelation to the mold and being moved to its active position when themetal pot moves into casting relationto the mold. y

17. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, ametal pot movable into and out of casting position relatively to themold, a plunger in the metal pot for injecting metal therefrom into themold, a nuid operated piston for actuating the plunger, a trip dog forholding the piston against movement to operate the plunger, meansactuable to release said dog, and an interponent movable into and out ofactive position to establish a connection4 between the dog and itsreleasing means, said interponent being moved into active position bythe movement of the metal pot into casting position.

18. A combination according to claim 1'1, wherein the interponent isiixed to a rock shaft,

and including two bumpers mounted in the machine and adapted to beengaged by an arm on the rock shaft during the movement of the metalpot, one bumper being located for engagementl pot, one bumper beinglocated for engagement with said arm when the pot moves into casting themetal pot accurately in casting position when the toggle is expanded.

21. A combination as in claim 20, wherein one end of the toggle issecured to an anchoring member fastened to a xed part of the machine,and an adjustable wedge-shaped interponent is provided to vary thelocation of the anchoring member relatively to the part of the machineto which it is fastened.

JAMES C. PLASTARAS.

